The holiday season can be one of the busiest times of year for many people. Between shopping, cooking, travelling and keeping up with your social calendar, there's not much room for anything else.
Accidents happen, and when your mind is on other things, they may be all the more likely to occur.
A few simple precautions can keep the holidays happy for you and your family.
Nothing can put a damper on holiday festivities quite like a bad case of food poisoning. When cooking for guests, or even just for your own family, general food safety guidelines should always be followed.
Wash all fruits and vegetables, and fully cook all meats, poultry and eggs; wash hands frequently; keep raw and cooked foods separate, especially animal products; and don't leave foods unrefrigerated for more than two hours.
Be careful when cooking on the stove or baking in the oven to avoid burns for yourself and your child.
Alcoholic beverages also can be an issue around the holiday season. Though alcohol will be served at many holiday parties, excessive consumption can be both embarrassing and unhealthy.
If you choose to drink, drink slowly and in moderation. And make sure you eat something — don't drink on an empty stomach.
When drinking away from home, always select a designated driver. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving Web site reports that in the United States more than 1,000 people will die between Thanksgiving and New Year's each year in drunk driving crashes.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the holidays are an exciting time of year for children, but they also bring many risks and dangers.
Watch out for decorations that young children might mistake for toys or food. Many ornaments have sharp edges, are breakable or may present a choking hazard.
Before buying a toy or allowing a child to play with a toy he or she has received as a gift, read all instructions and look out for things like small or sharp parts and electrical cords.
When travelling or visiting friends and relatives, remember that their homes might not be child-proofed.
Also, even though it's a busy time of year, try to stick to your child's routine as much as possible. Regular nap times, sleeping schedules and eating patterns will help reduce holiday stress for you and your child.
Like children, people also need to pay special attention to their dogs and cats around the holiday season.
Be careful about feeding animals table scraps. Turkey and chicken bones can lead to choking, and many other foods are toxic to pets, or will at least cause upset stomach or digestive problems.
Several species of holiday plants, such as poinsettias and mistletoe, can be deadly to animals. Keep them out of reach or out of the house altogether.
Make sure your Christmas tree is stable. Dogs can knock them over and cats will try to climb them. Don't add chemicals to Christmas tree water in case animals drink it.
Keep candles and breakable ornaments and decorations out of reach.
Watch out for exposed electrical cords that animals may try to claw or chew.
Don't forget about your pets when you have company over. When the house is busy, dogs and cats can easily get outside or get locked in a closet or room by accident.
Despite all the dangers of lights and candles around the holidays, the U.S. Fire Administration Web site reports that most home fires in December still start while people are cooking or baking.
Outside of the kitchen, look for artificial trees that are fire resistant, and if you buy a live tree, select one that is fresh. Pine needles should be hard to pull from the branches and shouldn't break when you bend them.
Place the tree away from fireplaces, stoves or heaters, and cut a few inches off the bottom of the tree to expose fresh wood and allow for better water absorption. If the tree dries out, there is a greater risk for fire.
Check all indoor and outdoor light strands for frayed wires and broken sockets — even if they're brand new — and use hooks to hang lights instead of nails or tacks.
Place lighted candles where they can't be knocked down, and keep them away from Christmas trees and other evergreens.
Never leave Christmas lights or candles unattended. Turn them off or blow them out when you leave the house or go to bed.
The key to preventing theft and vandalism while you're out of the house or travelling is to make it look like someone is home.
Interior lights can be set on timers — for a relatively low cost — so that they will turn on and off periodically. You can also leave your radio or television turned on if you're just out for the evening. Outside lights with motion detectors also will help to scare off burglars.
If you're out of town, ask a neighbor or friend to collect your mail and newspapers and look in on your house occasionally. If they live nearby, you can even have them park their car in your driveway.
Don't tell too many people about your travel plans, especially strangers or people you may not know very well.
At this time of year many factors can lead to added risks at stores — everything from larger crowds to fewer daylight hours.
Shop during the day if you can, and bring a friend or family member when shopping after dark.
Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and carrying large amounts of cash, and keep your purse or wallet concealed. Pay for purchases with checks or credit cards that can be reported immediately in case of theft.
To improve your visibility and freedom of motion, don't carry too many bags at once or bundle up too tight with winter clothing.
It's a busy time of year, and people are often distracted and in a hurry, but try to remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
